Natalia's Secret Spinster's Society (The Spinster's Society) (A Regency Romance Book)(8)

In the past, the meetings had been held in the Spinster’s House next door, but then sometime last year, they’d moved to the upstairs sitting room in Francis and Genie’s home. Now, they took place in Lady Selina’s nursery. The girl was fast asleep in her mother’s arms and was the spitting image of Genie with dark red curls and an adorable nose.

“It’s about Mrs. Wells.” Maura held herself back from adding the word ‘again.’ Her fingers played with the hair of the little boy she held. Asa was the Duke and Duchess of Cort’s youngest son. His twin, Ambrose, rested in Sophia’s arms. Though the boys looked alike with black hair and sea-green eyes, Ambrose was larger and ate more than his brother. He was also more demanding and, oftentimes, Morris would take him whenever he thought to shout his displeasure at being told no. Morris’ mother, who’d also given birth to a son in the last year, claimed that Ambrose was much like Morris and would only get worse.

Asa, on the other hand, was sweet. One almost had to remind him to eat. Otherwise, he was content to gaze peacefully at the world.

“Mrs. Wells has been meeting with Sudworth in her room,” Maura said.

“How lovely for Sudworth.” Sophia declared boldly.

Maura shook her head. “They don’t have those kinds of meetings. They simply… talk.”

“Are you listening in on private conversations?” Alice asked with accusation. She was free of her daughter at the moment. Calvin had taken Hannah with him to visit Hugh and his wife, Taygete. Taygete was the only member missing from the meeting, as she was pregnant once more and enjoyed long afternoon naps. “We promised the women privacy.”

“Yes,” Maura agreed. “But this particular woman makes me wonder if she belongs.”

Lorena stood and tried rocking Owen to sleep. He was the only baby to refuse his naps. “But I thought you liked her? Did you not say how great an asset she was to the house? You said she spoke Latin and French and the lessons could help the women get better positions when they sought employment. You also said she knew much on the matter of psychology and philosophy and held meetings with any woman who wished to discuss the subjects.”

“I like her, and I don’t even know her.” Florence stood by the window, her daughter Mercy resting on her shoulder. The sunlight made both woman and child’s golden hair glow.

“What makes you suspicious of her?” Christin sat at the small table not far away, sipping tea. Her dark feline eyes watched Maura closely. She was the only married member of the Sisterhood who’d not had a child of her own. Only married for half a year, she and Aaron were already raising three little girls they’d adopted from deceased family members. And for the moment, both thought that quite enough.

Christin had also approved of Fanny living in the house after meeting Bancroft the previous year. Christin put her cup down. “When I spoke to Mrs. Wells, I thought her lovely.”

Maura had asked Christin to meet her last year, since the countess had also run a large staffing agency before she’d married Aaron. Christin had concluded the meeting nearly in love with Leah, which seemed to settle the matter for the rest of the Spinster Sisters.

Christin had struck up a business agreement that would help certain criminals find a new start. It was a work in progress, but Maura liked Fanny, as did the rest of the women. She was a very good cook and, moreover, the larger than usual woman made the others feel safe.

But Fanny was not who they were discussing.

“Mrs. Wells speaks Spanish,” Maura declared. It was a language that she spoke as well. Her grandmother on her father’s side was from Spain. And though it had been hard to hear the entire conversation, one name had been repeated more than once.

Julius.

That was what truly worried Maura. It was possible the woman was simply interested in the dashing Lord Darvess. What woman wouldn’t be? He was likely the most handsome man to ever walk the Earth.

And the most irritating, to say the least.

“So?” Lorena asked.

Maura leaned forward. “Why keep her knowledge of a fourth language hidden and tell us that she only speaks three?”

Lorena seemed to consider that.

“Perhaps we should meet her,” Alice said.

“Agreed,” Lorena said. “Let’s meet at the House tomorrow and see her for ourselves.”

“Yes,” Sophia said. “It’s been some time since we’ve taken part in the House. I feel poorly about that.”

Maura smiled at her. “You all have so much to worry over. I take no issue bearing most of the burden.” She liked how dedicated her friends were to their families, and she truly didn’t mind running the House by herself. The women fascinated her, and she liked to see them succeed after all they’d gone through. Maura, who’d grown up in an insane asylum, knew what it was like to be held against one’s will. The House meant a great deal to her. More than the others could know.

“The babies are old enough to be left with their nursemaids for at least an afternoon,” Florence said in agreement.

It was settled. Mrs. Wells would be invited for tea and, hopefully, would answer the questions that pressed on Maura’s mind.

The door to the nursery opened, and Morris led the way into the room. He was followed by the house’s owner, Francis, and Emmett. William and Julius remained by the door. Both wore blank expressions. The rest of the men looked tense as they headed toward their wives. It was clear that the Nashwood Brotherhood had just had a meeting as well.